Pen-holder



(No Model.)

L. M. HOPKINS.

PEN HOLDER. No. 401,435. Patented Apr. 16, 1889.

WIIIIIIIfl/III/ml'wmqiq mllllm' N, Pcrcas. Phuhw-Lflhagrxpber. Washington. n.c

UNITED STATES ATENT Fries.

LOUIS M. HOPKINS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,

PEN-HOLDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 401,435, dated April 16, 1889. Application filed August 13,1888. SerialNo, 282,540. (No model.)

following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The objects of the present invention are, primarily, to provide a pen-holder of greater durability than any heretofore known or used, and, secondarily, to so simplify the construction that this superior holder which forms the subject of the said invention can be manufactured cheaper than holders of the better class, as ordinarily constructed, the quality of the materials employed and the character of workmanship being equal.

The invention consists in certain features of novelty which are hereinafter particularly pointed out in the claims, being first fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a sectional elevation of the improved holder in its simplest form, a portion of the stem being broken away. Figs. 2, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 are sectional elevations of the improved holder under various modifications, aportion of the stem in each being broken away. Figs. 3, a, 6, and 7 are sectional elevations illustrating the hollow stem under still other modifications, a portion of the stem in each case being broken away. The scale of the drawings is about two to one.

The improved holderconsists of but two partsnamely, a hollow stem, a, open at one end, and a spiral plug, b, situated within the open end of said stem and secured so as to prevent its accidental displacement. By the term hollow stem is meant either a stem molded all in one piece, such as is ordinarily employed in rubber or celluloid holders, and shown more clearly in Fig. 1, or a stem consisting of a hollow sleeve formed of metal, rubber, celluloid, or similar material, and a wooden, rubber, pearl, or other separate por tion having one of its ends tcnoned and inserted in one end of said sleeve, as shown in either of the Figs. 4, 5, 7, 10, 11, or 12.

The spiral plug may be of hard rubber or of metal, or other suitable material, some metal which will not be corroded by the ink It may also be rigid or springy, the latter being far preferable, for reasons which will appear hereinafter. The external diameter of the spiral plug is slightly less than the internal diameter of the hollow stem, the difference being just sufficient to allow the necessary space between them for the admission of the pen.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. l (which is the very simplest) the interior of the stem is cylindrical for some distance inward from its open end-say, for example, to the point indicated by the dotted line. From this point the said interior tapers toward the closed end of the stem. also cylindrical (or, in other words, all its convolutions from end to end are the same diameter,) and is held in place within the hollow stem. simply by friction, its innermost convolution being crowded or squeezed into the tapering part of the stems interior.

Before proceeding to describe other forms of the invention the advantages which are claimed for it over others will be stated. That it is the acme of simplicity is apparent from being p referred.

The spiral plug is the drawings. Its superiority over others with greater part of all the holders used. Theuse of a spiral plug will be seen to leave the open end of the stem practically unobstructed, so that whatever amount of hardened ink may happen to accumulate within. said open end access may be had for removing it, which is not so of holders of ordinary construction. If a springy spiral be employed, the hardened ink may be broken away simply by repeatedly compressing the spiral and allowing it to expand alternately, thereby causing its convolutions to scrape the interior surface of the stem; or the holder may be immersed in water, which may freely enter the open end of the stem and the space designed for the reception of the pen and dissolve the hardened ink; or the plug may be easily pulled out of the stem and again replaced after both stem and plug have been cleaned. The best results are obtained by constructing the plug of some springy material which will not be corroded by the ink; yet good results are obtained, even if the material does corrode and is not springy. With a springy spiral plug the operation of inserting the pen causes the plug to be compressed endwise to a limited extent. As the compression of a spiral increases its diameter it will be seen that in the present instance the effect of compressing the spiral plug is to increase its diameter, and thereby squeeze the pen tightly against the interior surface of the stem, whereby it is held with great firmness. On the other hand, the act of extracting the pen elongates the plug and thereby causes it to release its pressure upon the pen, enabling the latter to be easily extracted, regardless of the accumulation of hardened ink. For the purposes of this application the form of the invention shown in Fig 2 is elected as the preferred form, in which the stem, without regard to the shape of its interior-t. a, whether it be cylindrical or tapering-4s formed or provided with a groove or depression, 0, the object of which is to receive an enlarged o'r outsprung convolution of the spiral plug. It is not essential which one of the convolutions is thus enlarged or bent outward, although for obvious reasons the innermost one "is preferred. It will be observed that the outer side or wall of this groove 0 forms, a shoulder, against which the enlarged convolution of the spiral plug bears, whereby said plug is prevente from being accidentally pulled out when, for example, a pen is being extracted. In like manner the inner side or wall of said groove forms a shoulder for similarly preventing the spiral plug from being displaced inward when, for example, a pen is being inserted. This groove may be' inclined at the same pitch as the spiral, and extend one or more times completely around the interior of the stem, as suggested in Fig. 2; or it may extend less than one time completely around, so as to be simply an indentation, as s g e t d in F 3; its plane ay be p pendicular to the axis of the stem and extend completely around the interior thereof, as suggested in Fig. f, or only partly around, as suggested in Fig. 3, Itmay also be either formed in the process of molding or otherwise, so as to be simply a depression in the interior surface of the stem, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, or else spun into the stem, as suggested in Fig. 1 4; or, again, instead of a groove of any shape or formation one or more ro'ections 0' ma be formed upon the interior of the stem, as

shown in Fig. 5, by means of a punch or similar tool applied to the exterior. These projections may be disposed so as to embrace one of the ,conv'olutions between them, (whereby they would have precisely thesame effect as the groove 0,) or they may be so arranged as to bear against only the outer side of the convolution, and thus have the same effect as does the outer side or wall only of the groove c.i. e., prevent the accidental withdrawal of the plug. In the form shown in Fig. 5, if anything be needed to prevent the inward displacement of the plug the end of the wooden portion of the stem which is inserted into the hollow sleeve would be all-sufficient; or, again, instead of either the groove c or the short projections or points 0', the stem may have on its interior a continuous ribor flange, 0, formed either in the process of molding, as shown "in Fig. 6, or by a contraction in the stem, as shown in Fig. 7.

It will be observed that the effect of all of these devices from first to last is to form a shoulder for engaging one of the convolutions of the spiral plug for preventing its accidental displacement. The term shoulder is therefore employed in this specification as comprehending all of said devices and others which may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. It is by no means essential, however, that such a shoulder be employed, (especially if the plug be formed of stout wire,) as the plug may be held in place simply by the friction of one of its convolutions against the interior of the stem, as shown in Figs. 1, 8, and 9. In Fig.1 the plug is of equal diameter from end to end, and the stem some distance from its open end begins to taper in ward, as already described. In 8 the interior of the stem is perfectly cylindrical 't'. e., in the vicinity of the plugand the inner convolution of the plug is enlarged. In Fig. 9 the interior of the stem tapers slightly from its outer extremity, and the inner convolution of the plug is enlarged. Although preferable, yet it is not essential that one entire convolution be enlarged. If buta small portion of the wire forming one of the convolutions be bent out sufficiently, it will answer the purpose. This innermost convolution may have the same pitch as the other convolutions of the plug, or it may be bent to a plane perpendicular to the axis of the plug, as shown in Figs. 5 and 8. One other means for securing the spiral plug is shown in Figs. 10 and 11, and consists in bending-the inner extremity of the wire of which the plug is formed to a position parallel to the axis of said plug and driving it into the extremity of the wooden portion of the stem.

The invention, in its broadest sense, is not limited to any particular means for securing the spiral plug within the hollow stem, many of which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. The shape of the operating portion of the plug may also be modified. Instead of its being cylindrical, as shown in Figs. 1, 5, 8, 10, and 12, it maytaper inward, as s'hown in Figs. 2, 9, and 11, the amount of taper being exaggerated in the drawings for clearnes's of representation. The object of this construction is tohave the external surface of the plug and the internal surface of the stem to diverge inward, in order to facilitate the insertion of the pen. Under certain conditions this is found to be advantageous, as it prevents the interior con volutions of the plug from being forced out ward, (by the act of inserting the pen.) so as to cross the path of the pen and obstruct its insertion. Precisely the same result is accomplished by making the plug cylindrical and tapering the interior of the stem out-- ward, as shown in Fig. 12.

In Fig. 9 both the plug and the interior of the stem taper inward; but the taper of the,

latter is slightly less than that of the former. These devices are regarded as equivalents, and, for the purposes of this specification, either one is meant by the expression the hollow stem and the plug having surfaces diverging inward.

There is one other feature which the plug of either cylindrical or tapering shape may have, and that is, its outer end may protrude a little beyond the extremity of the open end of the stem and its outermost convolution spread or made slightly larger than the others. This outer convolution maybe equal or even a little great-er in diameter than the interior of the hollow stem. The result is that if the space between the external surface of the plug and the internal surface of the stem is made too large to hold the pen with ad equate firmness this enlarged convolution will throw the protruding portion of the pen upward, causing its back or top part to bear firmly or fulcrum upon the outer extremity of the interior surface of the stem and its inner end to bear downward upon the exterior of the plug. This construction is found to hold the pen with ample firmness and to enable its insert-ion and removal with great case. It is not essential that the whole of the outer convolution be enlarged in order to accomplish the result.

I reserve the right to combine in one stem any number of the several features of the various stems shown, which are not incompatible; also, to combine in one plug any number of the several features of the various plugs shown, which are not incompatible; also to combine a stem of either of the various forms with a plug of either of the various forms, so far as they may be adaptable to each other.

Having thus described my invention, the following is what I claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In a pen'holder, the combination of a hollow stem open at one end for the admission of the pen and a spiral plug secured within the open end of said stem, said plug being sufficiently less in diameter than the inter rior of said stem to afford space for the ad-' missionof the pen between them, substantially as set forth.

2. In a pen-holder, the combination. of a hollow stem open at one end for the admission of the pen and a spiral plug of sufficiently less diameter than the interior of said stem to afford space for the admission of the pen between them, removably secured within the open end of said stem, substantially as set forth.

3. In, a pen-holder, the combination of a hollow stem open at one end for the admission of the pen and a spiral plug formed of springy material and secured within the open end thereof, said plug being sufficiently less in diameter than the interior of said stem to afford space between them for the admission of the pen, substantially as set forth.

4. In a pen-holder, the combination of a hollow stem open at one end for the admission of the pen, and a longitudinally-compressible plug secured within the open end thereof, said plug being sufficiently less in diameter than the interior of said stem to afford space between them for the admission of the pen, substantially as set forth.

5. In a pen-holder, the combination of a hollow stem open at one end for the admission of the pen, and a longitudinally-compressible spiral plug secu red within the open end thereof, said plug being sufficiently less in diameter than the interior of the stem to afford space between them for the admission of the pen, substantially as set forth.

6. In a pen-holder, the combination of a hollow stem open at one end for the admission of the pen, and a spiral plug situated within the open end thereof, said plug being sufficiently less in diameter than the interior of the stem to afford space between them for the admission of the pen, and having its inner end secured so as to prevent its accidental displacement, substantially as set forth.

7. In a pen-holder, the combination of a hollow stem open at one end for the admission of the pen, and a spiral plug situated within the open end thereof, said plug being sufficiently less in diameter than the interior of the stem to afford space between them for the admission of the pen, and having one of its convolutions enlarged or bent outward, substantially as set forth.

8. In a pen-holder, the combination of a hollow stem open at one end for the admission of the pen, and a spiral plug situated within the open end thereof, said plug being sulficiently less in diameter than the interior of the stem to afford space between them for the admission of the pen, and having its innermost convolution enlarged or bent outward, substantially as set forth.

9. In a pen holder, the combination of a hollow stem open at one end for the admission of the pen, and a spiral plug situated within the open end thereof, said plug being sufficiently less in diameter than the interior of the stem to afford space between them for the admission of the pen, and said stem having upon its interior a shoulder for engaging said plug and preventing its accidental displacement, substantially as set forth.

10. In a pen-holder, the combination of a hollow stem open at one end for the admission of the pen, and a spiral plug situated within the open end thereof, said plug being sufficiently less in diameter than the interior of said stem to afford space between them for the admission of the pen, and said stem having upon its interior shoulders for engaging said plug and preventing its accidental displacement in either direct-ion, substantially as set forth.

11. In a pen-holder, the combination of a hollow stem open at one end for the admission of the pen, and a spiral plug sufficiently less in diameter than the interior of the stem within which it is situated to afford between them necessary space for the admission of the pen, and having one of its convolutions enlarged or bent outward, said stem having upon its interior a shoulder for engaging said enlarged or bent convolution and preventing displacement of the plug, substantially as set forth.

1.2. In a pen-holder, the combination of a hollow stem open at one end for the admission of the pen, and a spiral plug of less diameter than the interior of the stem secured within the open end thereof, the internal surface'of said stem and external surface of said plug converging inward,'substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

1-3. In a pen-holder, the combination of a hollow stem open at one end for the admission of the pen, and a spiral plug secured within the open end thereof, said plug beingtapered inward or from the open end of the stem, substantially as set forth.

14; In a pen-holder, the combination of a hollow stem open atone end for the admission of the pen, and a 'spiral'plug' slightly less in diameter than the interior of said stem secured within the open end thereof and protruding slightly therefrom, the outer convolution of said plug being enlarged or bent out- ;varld, substantially as and for. the purpose set Orb. I,

15. In a pen-holder, the combination of a hollow stem open at one end for the admission of the pen, and an inward tapering spiral plug secured within the open end thereof and protruding slightlytherefron'the outer convolution of said plug being enlarged or bent outward, substantially as set forth. i

L. M. HOPKINS.

Witnesses:-

WM. RHEEM, W. B; O oiinNDno. 

